LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF VIABILITY AND GERMINABILITY TESTS FOR SUGARGRAZE AND COLUMBUS GRASS SEEDS

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The experiment was conducted to assess the two forage sorghum seeds viabilities and germination percentages. The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory of Animal Science Department, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State. The experimental materials were Sugargraze seeds (had same nature with food sorghum seeds) and Columbus grass seeds (were hard with scaly coat in nature) sourced from National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Shika, Zaria. The data collected for viability test was subjected to T-test using Microsoft excel (10th Edition) for the determination of germination percentages. The seed germination test methods (between paper method) were used; two hundred (200) seeds each of Sugargraze and Columbus grass were used, replicated ten times with twenty (20) seeds per Glass Petri dish and kept at room temperature (28 – 30 0C) for seven (7) days. Petri dishes were checked daily, counted and recorded for the sprouted seeds for determination of percentage germination rate in each replication. The results showed that the percentage germination increased significantly with increasing days of germination among all the cultivars. Columbus grass, which showed germination rates of 39.50%, 70.50%, and 81.50% at 2, 4, and 6 days, respectively, Sugargraze showed germination percentages of 58.50% and 92.50% at days 2 and 4. The whole germination time for Columbus grass seeds was 6 days, whereas Sugargraze seeds needed just 4 days. The viability of the Columbus and Sugargraze grass seeds was 81.50% and 92.50%, respectively.